Violinist/violist Emily Dyer, of Glen Head, New York, passed away on September 19, 2024, at the age of 90. She had been a member of Local 802 since 1968.

Emily was born and raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma. As a youth she excelled at both violin and oboe, rising to assistant concertmaster of the Interlochen Orchestra. After studies at the University of Oklahoma with Charles Joseph and Robert Gerle, she moved to NY, where she played in many groups, often alongside her husband, Dwight. These included the Huntington/Long Island Symphony under Seymour Lipkin, and the Nassau Symphony under Andrew Schenk. She maintained a private teaching studio, and several of her students went on to become professional performers and/or teachers.

She is survived by her son David and daughter Diana (both violinists in the Toledo Orchestra) as well as her son Dale, a cellist.

Framed on the wall of her studio is a quote from Leonard Bernstein: “To be the best teachers possible, we need to be the best musicians we can be, not teachers who happen to teach music, but musicians who specialize in the art of teaching.”

A memorial service will be held on January 4, 2025 in Roslyn (Long Island). For details, send an e-mail to Dale Dyer.

Obituary submitted by Dale Dyer